2004 PBR World Champion Mike Lee Wins Round 1 in Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY – Mike Lee’s traditional arena run after successfully covering his bull doubled as a celebratory run for winning Round 1 of the Express Employment Professionals Invitational presented locally by Sonic at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Friday night.

The 2004 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Champion put up 86.5 points on Swamp Wreck (01 Cattle Co./D&H Cattle Co.) to capture the round win. It was his first since winning the PBR 15/15 Bucking Battle in Nampa, Idaho, in April, 2015. Lee earned 100 world standings points for the win.

Kaique Pacheco, the 2015 Rookie of the Year, took second place in the round with an 86.25-point ride aboard Roll of the Dice (Halpain/Paine). Pacheco earned 60 world standings points for his finish.

Stetson Lawrence and Aaron Roy tied for third place with 86 points each. Roy covered First Instinct (Rockin’ J Bucking Bulls) early in the evening before Lawrence covered Dirt Road (K-C/Josey McElroy Bucking Bulls/Spark-Lin Acres) late in the round. The riders both earned 45 world standings points for the tie.

The duo was followed by Cody Nance, who kicked off the three-day Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) event by lasting 8 seconds on Rolls Royce (Tom & Tish Peterson) for 85.75 points. It was an important ride for Nance, who had been bucked off in his previous six outs. He earned 30 world standings points for finishing in fifth place.

In the last of his injury exemption events, Markus Mariluch picked up an important qualified ride, tying with Fabiano Vieira for sixth place in the round as both riders rode their bulls for 85.5 points. The pair each earned 10 world standings points. Mariluch rode Lost Soul (Martinez Bucking Bulls LLC), while Vieira covered KA264 (K-C/Josey McElroy Bucking Bulls/Spark-Lin Acres).

Round 1 of the Express Employment Professionals Invitational was also The Big Tex Classic competition for the young bulls of the ABBI (American Bucking Bull Inc). The ABBI conducts development programs and holds events showcasing the world’s finest bucking bull stock at select BFTS and Touring Pro Division events. It is dedicated to unifying, developing and promoting the bucking bull industry through pedigree preservation, enhancement and promotion of bucking bull ownership, breeding, and welfare.

Little Tim’s All Nighter’s winning points of 88.75 earned him the Big Tex Classic championship buckle and more than $10,500 in prize money. In second place with 87.75 points was Rebel Yell ll (Rickey West). Cut The Cord (Aduddel/Owens) took third place with 87.25 points, and 01Z Rocco (K Bar C Bucking Bulls, LLC/Josie McElroy/Spark-Lin Acres) finished in fourth place with 87 points.

Wrapping up the Top 5 was Acting Crazy (Rocking R Bucking Bulls) with a score of 86.5 points. Over $37,000 was paid out to the Top 9 Classic contenders (bulls in the 3 and 4-year-old class).

CBS Sports Network, the home of the PBR, will broadcast Round 2 of the Express Employment Professionals Invitational on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, as well as Round 3 and the Built Ford Tough Championship Round, on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can also watch all of the action live via PBR LIVE at www.pbr.com/live.

The Express Employment Professionals Invitational is the third event on the 2016 PBR Built Ford Tough Series schedule. The season consists of 26 stops, traveling to such cities as Chicago, New York, Anaheim, California, Dallas, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and more. It will climax with the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas on Nov. 2-6 when the 2016 PBR World Champion, the bull rider who earns the most world standings points during the season, will receive the coveted World Championship belt buckle and $1 million bonus. For complete schedule information, fans can visit www.PBR.com.

The BFTS is televised every week on CBS, CBS Sports Network and networks around the world. BFTS telecasts are produced for the PBR under a multi-year agreement with David Neal Productions, a Los Angeles-based production company led by 34-time Emmy® Award winner and Peabody Award winner David Neal, who serves as executive producer.